Environment

Nokia today published its annual sustainability report, covering the company's sustainability performance in 2017 and focusing on four priority areas: improving people's lives with technology, protecting the environment, conducting our business with integrity, and respecting our people.

Chinese government officials have tabled legislation focused on 'energy efficiency' which has been specifically formulated in an effort to reduce Beijing's consumption of coal. The document which was drafted by members of the Beijing Municipal Government, firmly feel the legislation proposed will cut the capital's coal consumption to below 5 million tons by 2020.

China has announced plans to construct the world's first ever 'forest city' in an effort to combat global warming and air pollution. The highly ambitious project would see all buildings covered in plants and trees in a revolutionary move to alleviate the threat posed by global warming.

The deployment of 'smart lampposts' could potentially save Europe €2.1bn every year according to analysis which was conducted by Sharing Cities, a Europe-wide Smart Cities organization. The comprehensive report highlights that currently Europe spends around $3bn on street lighting on an annual basis.

Director General of Dubai Municipality, H.E. Eng. Hussain Lootah has officially confirmed that the municipality plans to launch a new data-collection satellite that will provide them with critical information on environmental aspects ranging from sustainability, maritime conditions and air quality in the UAE. In addition to this, it has been further disclosed that the satellite is capable of monitoring the UAE from space.

The government of the Dominican Republic has announced that it will introduce a total plan on single-use plastic and Styrofoam in an effort to preserve and protect the stunning natural landscape in the Caribbean nation.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) have signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai Airports to expand cooperation and promote Smart Dubai. The agreement aims to unify energies and resources, exchange knowledge, innovation, ideas and promotes effective communication to implement DEWA's three smart initiatives at Dubai Airports.

Thousands of Dubai residents ditched their cars for an awareness campaign highlighting the harmful impact carbon emissions have on our environment.

The campaign, simply entitled 'Car Free Day' is now in its eight year - and Director General of Dubai Municipality, Hussain Nasser Lootah, led a team of directors and senior officials from government departments in riding the Metro from Etisalat Station to the Union Station.

Finland has established itself as one of the most progressive countries in the entire world - and that has once again been evidenced by Helsinki's latest proposal to combat climate change. A proposal tabled at making the capital city carbon-neutral by 2035 - was unanimously passed by Helsinki City Council.

Groupe PSA, the second largest car manufacturer in Europe has announced a joint venture with Nidec, the leading comprehensive motor manufacturer, to create “Nidec-PSA emotors”. Carlos Tavares, Chief Executive Officer of Groupe PSA and MM Shigenobu Nagamori, Chief Executive Officer of Nidec, endorsed today the establishment of the new project dedicated to the design, development, manufacture and sale of electric traction motors.

Iceland has been forced to deploy new 'fast charging' infrastructure across its capital Reykjavik, following the rapid increase and adoption of electric vehicles in the country. Iceland's government has been aggressively pursuing the electrification in its transport sector, and Icelandic motorists are acutely aware of the benefits of moving away from fossil-fuel powered cars towards clean electric vehicles.

A group of researchers in Japan have suggested that small insect sized drones covered in a coat of horsehair and sticky gel could pollinate crops which would significantly reduce the costly loss of bee populations across the globe. The miniature drones are still a long way off in terms of their production and subsequent introduction into the field, but researchers believe they offer a partial solution to the loss of bees with disease and climate change decimating its population.

Some of the world's biggest cities have pledged their commitment to protect the environment and rid their cities of harmful fossil fuels by agreeing to deploy zero emissions buses from 2025. Twelve major cities will introduce the environmentally-friendly vehicles to its transportation systems from 2025, in a bid to make major areas of their cities 'fossil fuel free' by 2030.

The sun-drenched city of Miami has been named as the world's leading city when it comes to implementing smart connected streetlights. Miami beat-off stiff competition from European cities Paris and Madrid to take top spot.

A South Korean city has introduced a blockchain-platform that has been specifically designed to enhance environmental sustainability and reduce harmful carbon emissions that have been plaguing the urban metropolis.

India's innovative bid to establish 100 'smart cities' in an effort to support the country's rapid growing urban population may well have a detrimental impact on the environment. A major study conducted by the University of Lincoln in the UK has stated that city planners needed to place a greater emphasis on supporting infrastructure and utilities if they want to avoid the likely prospect of harming the environment.

The Swiss city of Davos has announced a long-term partnership agreement with ABB Group in order to provide the city with e-infrastructure for its public and private transportation systems. ABB was showcasing some of its innovative solutions at the annual World Economic Forum which was recently held in Davos.